There is no global definition of art. Art is cultural, creative, and imaginative. Many people are under the impression that art refers solely to paintings, and they could not be further from the truth. Art is film, music, theater, poetry, and literature. Everything we consume and everything we see is art, and without it, our lives would be empty. In schools, art history isn’t a topic that’s typically covered in-depth, which is a leading factor in why this generation is seemingly uninterested in art.
Recently, with the Trump Administration cutting funds from the National Endowment for the Arts Agency, education and expression is at risk. Now more than ever, we need to start paying attention to the art around us as it acts as a live dictation of what’s happening in the world.
In moments of hardship and adversity, art can be an excellent resource. With this new deal, creating art is something scarce. Many artists are submitting appeals to the organization, Americans for the Arts, in order to voice their concerns and hopefully make a difference.
Not only can art be used as an educational tool, it also has great emotional and psychological benefits. Time and time again, studies will show that studying and observing art provides stress relief, enhances self-esteem, and reduces depression. The reason why is not completely clear, however, doctors seem to think that it is because of the distraction it provides, as well as the increase in dopamine levels.
In class, we read endless essays and documents which are extremely helpful, but lack a more personal aspect. Colors, shapes, and perspectives have the ability to do something that plain concrete facts and information cannot. We could be learning the same if not more from works of art.
One of history’s most influential pieces of art is Guernica by Pablo Picasso. The 1937 mural-sized painting depicts the casualties and horrors of the Nazi bombing of Guernica, a small town in rural Spain. The painting is very famous for its anti-war message, and was one of the first to promote the idea. Today, in a world full of war and terror, art can be used as a symbol of peace.
While I am the first to say that art can at times be boring and confusing, I also believe that it is an incredibly useful tool that we can learn from if we take a minute to open our eyes.
